STAMFORD -- Drawing on connections developed during his tenure in state government, mayoral hopeful Mike Fedele is scooping up Republican endorsements from all levels of Connecticut politics -- including one from his former rival, Greenwich businessman Tom Foley.

Foley and Fedele were fierce opponents during the 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary, when Fedele released a television ad criticizing Foley's business record. Foley -- who narrowly beat Fedele for the Republican nomination before losing the general election to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy -- had either forgotten or forgiven the attack by Monday, when he hosted a $500-donation-suggested fundraiser at his Greenwich home in support of Fedele's mayoral run.

"He's proven himself as a successful business person and he's distinguished himself in public service," Foley said. "He's served as an executive as lieutenant governor. Those are important experiences to have prior to being mayor of an important city."

Former U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, Greenwich Republican state Sen. L. Scott Frantz and Stamford Board of Representatives Deputy Minority Leader Harry Day have also endorsed Fedele. Day, who is co-hosting a fundraiser with Shays next month, said he admires Fedele's business and government experience, as well as his commitment to Stamford.

"Mike combines impressive careers in both the private and public sectors, which no other candidate even comes close to," Day wrote in an email. "He comes with no private agendas or ulterior motives, and his sincerity cannot be questioned."

Shays, a former longtime U.S. House member who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in Stamford 30 years ago, said Fedele would promote collaboration within city government.

"He'll bring Democrats and Republicans together," Shays said. "He'll bring warring factions within both parties together to focus on why they are elected, and that's to serve the people."

Frantz, who represents District 36 in the General Assembly, said Fedele's legislative experience makes him well suited to serve as Stamford's mayor.

"I had the opportunity to see what a fine decision maker he is and what a fine policy maker he can be," Frantz said. "Given that -- in conjunction with his business experience -- he's the perfect kind of person to run a city like Stamford."

Fedele, who served as lieutenant governor under former Gov. M. Jodi Rell and owns a Stamford technology company, said he welcomed all the endorsements.

"They're Republican leaders within our community here, and it's great to get endorsements from people who are viewed positively by the Republican Party," he said.

"Every major officeholder, every major donor and every Republican mayor from Fairfield County and beyond is supporting Mike Fedele," Mahoney said. "We do have our convention in July and the Republican Town Committee will make their choice at that point."

Pia said his campaign strategy is not focused on endorsements and fundraisers.

"There are two kinds of political candidates in Connecticut these days: machine candidates, those with huge special interest fundraising networks and endorsements from politicians that have nothing to do with local government," Pia said in an email. "And then there are representative candidates, like myself, those who connect directly with the voters, those with deep ties to the community, caring about the day-to-day issues important to Stamford's residents."

"They should be worrying about representing Greenwich instead of worrying about who the people of Stamford want," Mallozzi said. "Just because they have a name they think we're going to be impressed that they want to pick the next mayor of Stamford? I don't think the voters want that."

Frantz said politics and government in Stamford undoubtedly affects neighboring Greenwich.

"What's good for Stamford is good for Greenwich and vice versa and I think it's imperative that we work together on some of these regional issues," he said.

Fedele has also secured the support of two Stamford Republican mayors: Michael Pavia, who is not running for re-election after one term, and Stanley Esposito, who held the seat from 1991 to 1995. Malloy, who sat in Stamford's top office for the 14-year span between Pavia and Esposito, has so far steered clear of the Democratic Party's equally competitive contest for his former seat.

The Republican Town Committee will endorse a mayoral candidate at its July 16 nominating convention. Primary elections, if necessary, will be held on Sept 10.